The training plan said 15 miles, which to me means out and back on Chubb. When I picked up TV he had an idea to run a loop in Lone Elk. I've heard of it, driven by it, but didn't know there was a loop we could run! So the plan was to park at the RR and run east towards LE. It was another hot day, we're still heat acclimating, no need to go nuts.
I tested some new run candy today -- those soft puffy peppermints that I love. The plan was every 2 miles I get a mint. I like them for the bright refreshing taste, the peppermint for the tummy, and the way they don't stick to me teeth for the next mile. They worked! And 2 miles goes by fast. Now as to whether I'd do this in a 100-miler, let's see that's 50 mints! Ha!
Ran along the river -- the weeds were tall and we got a bit confused on the trail. Looks different post flooding and overgrown. But soon enough hit LE and cut down to the trail. I joke about whether there was really one, lone elk or how this works. We could see poops everywhere, the elk had free run of the park and a cattle gate kept them from leaving. These weren't the usual horse poops, more like big piles of poop marbles.
We were about 1.5 miles into the loop when we saw our first elk! Beautiful!! And on our trail. Well, his trail, really, we were the visitors. Time for some appreciation, and a photo with TV's phone.
As he was standing on the trail, we had to detour, back on trail, excited by the sighting. Past the visitor's center where another runner pointed out the lake with low water and many more elk cooling themselves off! So the name of the park is misleading, more than one elk.
We were both conscious of water levels and instead of further exploration we headed back to the truck. I felt much better on the return run than I did out the out. I was chatterboxing random shit the entire time, and my energy was better. When we got back to the truck at 10.88, I could have kept going but TV was done. Of course I had to round up to 11!
Met another runner who was doing 10 hill repeats up the picnic table and back. Said he was new to ultra running and didn't usually sign up for races. Said he did Berryman 50 and Double Chubb. And doing hill repeats.... more to this story! He revealed that he used to do Ironman, now THAT makes more sense. Triathletes! LOL!
The weekend felt really good, feeling more confident about signing up for my summer and fall races. The knee barely hurt today and while the shoulder still ached after the longer bike yesterday, that is less acute and I don't need a shoulder to run ;)
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